Five Useful Mac Apps Worth Checking Out - May 2018

[manu chao]

And Apple seems to think the only way to solve it is by removing useful features like app backup and sync, thereby making apps like iMazing even more necessary...

You can still use a version of iTunes with built-in App Store: iTunes 12.6.4.3 (released in April).
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I have used iMazing for several years. In my opinion, it is well worth the price.

I guess, updating apps and buying/getting new apps cannot be done from within iMazing but must happen on the iOS device?

 

[MartinDeering]

It's unfortunate that iTunes has enough ongoing UI deficiencies to justify a 40 price tag for an app like iMazing.. but here we are.

I'd just like to point out that iMazing is available on Setapp, which is $10/month for dozens of apps. I purchased iMazing before I got Setapp, but I'd highly recommend getting a Setapp subscription.

 

[harriska2]

You can get it for $24 and it's well worth it. Go to stacksocial dot com and search for it

You can get imazing with a 30% discount with a .edu email.

I’m going to try the free version as I’ve had serious problems with itunes:

1. It fills my 250gb ssd with backups. I moved the backups to my seperated “My Documents” on a different disk and now backups don’t work. I hope imazing allows backups to a different place.

2. I help little old ladies upgrade their ipads. They don’t have computers. They run out of space on a 16gb device with granny pictures and icloud is full. Google photos bailed me out but it takes forever to upload to cloud, then download to the new machine - almost 1000! I hope imazing helps pull all images, even ones that don’t show up in the /apple100 directory of the ipad.

3. I started my son’s music library on my pc. Now he has his own laptop but the music is stuck on my pc and I can’t transfer his music to his laptop. I hope imazing can help split out our music. I’m buying the 2, maybe even 5 pack.

4. I want to access all files on my ipad and snoop around.

5. I would love to wirelessly get stuff off my computer. I currently use FileBrowser.

6. I would love to get books off my ipad and onto my computer that I created via pdf conversion without emailing. Epubs don’t come off at all.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You can still use a version of iTunes with built-in App Store: iTunes 12.6.4.3 (released in April).
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I guess, updating apps and buying/getting new apps cannot be done from within iMazing but must happen on the iOS device?

Correct

 

[decafjava]

Does iMazing work with iTunes smartplaylists?

 

[palmerc2]

Paste is the best app I've ever used and has completely changed the way I use my computer. I was more than happy to pay for this one.

https://pasteapp.me

Per your post I discovered Paste, I’ve done some research and it looks fantastic. So many times I have something copied then copy something else and lose the first one.

I especially like how it can omit data from certain applications, as I am constantly copying passwords from LastPass on Mac and in some instances copying passwords on my iPhone.

 

[Kittifer]

How about a MacOS app that reads sheet music (PDF or scanned) and sends the playable score to Finale, Sibelius, MuseScore, Noteflight or one of hundreds of other music notation programs that support the MusicXML format ?
http://www.musitek.com/m2xml.html

 

[ignatius345]

I actually use iTunes exclusively, and I agree that it’s a good program in many ways, not least of which is the robust file conversion engine it houses. I’m a graphic designer though, and in turn a very visual person- other people gripe about things I can’t care less about, but this -

https://www.macworld.com/article/31...s-in-itunes-are-useless-they-shouldnt-be.html

is inexcusable all these years later. A recurring theme in iTunes, on my phone, on my Apple TV, and in the iTunes Store. For a company with so much focus on aesthetic, it’s an embarrassment. Egg on Apple’s face.

If I simply had control over artist images in my library and on my devices? There is little else about iTunes to complain about.. in my opinion.

Hah, I think I tuned that feature out (no pun intended), and most of the views I use iTunes in don't really expose me to that weird feature. It is a bit baffling, to be sure.

I would agree generally that iTunes has a lot of rough edges design-wise but the functionality is very deep. I really just fear that any big overhaul is going to give us a gimped "iOS-ified" version that loses the power features like tagging, Applescript support, Home Sharing and so on.

I've got iTunes files I ripped from CDs in the early 2000s, and have been carefully tagging and collecting stuff since then. The current state of benign neglect suits me just fine.
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Netflix does that on all their platforms...from Apple TV to Tivo......

And it's horrible. And they're not the only ones, unfortunately. I wish Apple would set some more strict standards for Apple TV apps because it's truly a lawless frontier, UI-wise. Makes me long for the days of the bare-bones Apple TV 2nd Gen, honestly.

 

[ike1707]

I really just fear that any big overhaul is going to give us a gimped "iOS-ified" version that loses the power features like tagging, Applescript support, Home Sharing and so on

You're speaking my language

 

[DodBasim]

iStat Menus is really great for pros.
https://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/

 

[harriska2]

Once the problem with iMazing credit card processing is sorted and I get a license, I think this will be a heavily used app on my windows 7 machine. Be aware it is a huge memory hog.

 

[Minorite]

You can get imazing with a 30% discount with a .edu email.

I’m going to try the free version as I’ve had serious problems with itunes:

1. It fills my 250gb ssd with backups. I moved the backups to my seperated “My Documents” on a different disk and now backups don’t work. I hope imazing allows backups to a different place.

2. I help little old ladies upgrade their ipads. They don’t have computers. They run out of space on a 16gb device with granny pictures and icloud is full. Google photos bailed me out but it takes forever to upload to cloud, then download to the new machine - almost 1000! I hope imazing helps pull all images, even ones that don’t show up in the /apple100 directory of the ipad.

3. I started my son’s music library on my pc. Now he has his own laptop but the music is stuck on my pc and I can’t transfer his music to his laptop. I hope imazing can help split out our music. I’m buying the 2, maybe even 5 pack.

4. I want to access all files on my ipad and snoop around.

5. I would love to wirelessly get stuff off my computer. I currently use FileBrowser.

6. I would love to get books off my ipad and onto my computer that I created via pdf conversion without emailing. Epubs don’t come off at all.

I use iMazing for over a year, really satisfied with it. Also it's good that you can use the same key for both Mac and Win, very convenient.

If you haven't got any answers to your questions yet, here's what I know from my experience:

1. Changing backup location - yes, you can change to another folder, NAS or external drive. Won't work with Google Drive, Dropbox or similar. Also, as backups are incremental they use less space.

2. Transferring photos - possible but there are some limitations. Better check their guides first. Also it's really great that they have automatic HEIC > JPEG convertion when transferring photos to PC or an older macOS version.

3. Music - yep, you should be able to transfer music with a flash drive or Google Drive to another computer, then load it to the device from a local folder.

4. Access files - depends on what files you need. File System is read-only in most cases.

5. Wi-Fi connection - possible, but sometimes it's slow. In my case fixed by restarting Wi-Fi router.

6. iBooks - works like a charm, but better don't use iCloud sync for iBooks if you use iMazing for books management.
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Does iMazing work with iTunes smartplaylists?

No, at least as far as I'm aware of.

 

[Skoal]

Per your post I discovered Paste, I’ve done some research and it looks fantastic. So many times I have something copied then copy something else and lose the first one.

I especially like how it can omit data from certain applications, as I am constantly copying passwords from LastPass on Mac and in some instances copying passwords on my iPhone.

This sounds excellent. Especially having the ability to omit data (pw manager) like you said.

 

[jimthing]

This sounds excellent. Especially having the ability to omit data (pw manager) like you said.

I have this (along with iMazing) as part of Setapp subscription, but...

Do you not find that you end up having to fairly regularly clear out large amounts of pastes you don't need anymore, as they build up into too many? (likely using storage space too?)

 

[CPTmom2wp]

menuBus (https://www.menuBus.audio) is hands down the best add on app for the mac.

Does this work with the HomePod or HomePod stereo?

 

[MartinDeering]

You can get imazing with a 30% discount with a .edu email.

I’m going to try the free version as I’ve had serious problems with itunes:

1. It fills my 250gb ssd with backups. I moved the backups to my seperated “My Documents” on a different disk and now backups don’t work. I hope imazing allows backups to a different place.

2. I help little old ladies upgrade their ipads. They don’t have computers. They run out of space on a 16gb device with granny pictures and icloud is full. Google photos bailed me out but it takes forever to upload to cloud, then download to the new machine - almost 1000! I hope imazing helps pull all images, even ones that don’t show up in the /apple100 directory of the ipad.

3. I started my son’s music library on my pc. Now he has his own laptop but the music is stuck on my pc and I can’t transfer his music to his laptop. I hope imazing can help split out our music. I’m buying the 2, maybe even 5 pack.

4. I want to access all files on my ipad and snoop around.

5. I would love to wirelessly get stuff off my computer. I currently use FileBrowser.

6. I would love to get books off my ipad and onto my computer that I created via pdf conversion without emailing. Epubs don’t come off at all.

iMazing is available on Setapp, which is $10/month for DOZENS of great apps.

 

[Minorite]

iMazing is available on Setapp, which is $10/month for DOZENS of great apps.

Setapp makes sense if you use any other apps from the list, but if you plan to use iMazing regularly it's good to have a license, especially when you need to pay only for major updates.

If you use other apps that are available in subscription then yes, Setapp is a good choice.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Setapp makes sense if you use any other apps from the list, but if you plan to use iMazing regularly it's good to have a license, especially when you need to pay only for major updates.

If you use other apps that are available in subscription then yes, Setapp is a good choice.

I have issues with Setapp:

1. I don’t do subscription software.
2. I have previously purchased a large number of the apps offered via Setapp, so there’s little to be gained by it for me.
3. See #1.

 

[jimthing]

Subscription is generally the future of many apps, for many reasons.

You always run the latest and greatest version for all your devices. And all platforms are covered under the sub (eg. Mac, iOS, Android, Win), plus cloud sync and web access too.

You can quit at any time, and restart as and when wanted.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Subscription is generally the future of many apps, for many reasons.

You always run the latest and greatest version for all your devices. And all platforms are covered under the sub (eg. Mac, iOS, Android, Win), plus cloud sync and web access too.

You can quit at any time, and restart as and when wanted.

That doesn't make it better, or right. And not all license subscriptions cover all platforms.

Some of the subscription-based apps even hold your data hostage when you stop paying ... but when I buy a license (vs 'renting' one), I can use the software as long as I wish, or until it refuses to run. I have purchased plenty of software (licenses) over the years, and have happily forked over the fees to upgrade for releases that I consider to be worthwhile to me... but for a developer to refuse to let me use his software without paying him every month for the privilege is nothing short of money grubbing greed in my view.

 

[jimthing]

That doesn't make it better, or right. And not all license subscriptions cover all platforms.

Some of the subscription-based apps even hold your data hostage when you stop paying ... but when I buy a license (vs 'renting' one), I can use the software as long as I wish, or until it refuses to run. I have purchased plenty of software (licenses) over the years, and have happily forked over the fees to upgrade for releases that I consider to be worthwhile to me... but for a developer to refuse to let me use his software without paying him every month for the privilege is nothing short of money grubbing greed in my view.

Well obviously you export your data before canx your subscription. Any apps that don't allow data export, that are gonna cause you a problem in future, you don't use. Among a great many other things, European users are legally covered under GDPR for exporting functionality.

The software is a subscription, so obviously they're not "money grabbing" you anything. You pay for it as all SaaS are and always have been, just as business users have for the last three decades. Nothing new or extraordinary here. Silly attitude.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Well obviously you export your data before canx your subscription. Any apps that don't allow data export, that are gonna cause you a problem in future, you don't use. Among a great many other things, European users are legally covered under GDPR for exporting functionality.

The software is a subscription, so obviously they're not "money grabbing" you anything. You pay for it as all SaaS are and always have been, just as business users have for the last three decades. Nothing new or extraordinary here. Silly attitude.

Again, it's not a difficult concept. I evaluate software, and if I decide that it would work for me, I pay the license fee to use it. I can use it as long as I choose, or until the software no longer works with the operating system of choice. At that point I look for something else. If the developer offers an update at a price, again, I evaluate the value based on my needs and my use case. I can choose to upgrade or not. If I decide I want the update, I pay again. If no, I don't.

I do see the incremental updates for a perpetual payout as a money grab.

Business use is a completely different animal than personal use, and for some businesses, it might make sense to to a subscription model... but it doesn't make sense for my use. I just won't do it.

Not a "silly attitude". My money. My choice. If I choose not to support some developer ad infinitum, what is that to you?

 

[Lioness~]

Neither do subscriptions.

But I think most devs that are serious AND smart actually offers both.

Have iMazing, don’t regret the update. Good app.

Paste is the best app I've ever used and has completely changed the way I use my computer. I was more than happy to pay for this one.

https://pasteapp.me

This feels interesting, will check this up.
Clipboard across devices, organized. Sounds excellent.
Have clipboard that store everything in Mac but not iOS.

 

[Daisy Styles]

It's unfortunate that iTunes has enough ongoing UI deficiencies to justify a 40 price tag for an app like iMazing.. but here we are.

Third party iphone backup tool like iMazing is indeed better than iTunes in parsing and backing up only certain files, while iTunes is still such a stubborn to backup all or nothing.
[doublepost=1531817293][/doublepost]Snagit ($49.95), screen capture and image creator, not fancy as photoshop in editing but it is much easier that every body can master without training.
Notezilla (Free), I have used Notezilla for a couple of years now and it is the best program I have found that helps me keep on top of what I need to do. I use it mainly to track our orders for our custom guitar and camera straps. I just now upgraded where I can sync the notes. So far, so good.
5KPlayer (Free), an AirPlay player that connets my iPhone and Mac, Video playback starts quickly and with online video download, I'm honestly a bit worried I'll be running out of space on my Mac.

 

[gautambjain]

Notezilla (Free), I have used Notezilla for a couple of years now and it is the best program I have found that helps me keep on top of what I need to do. I use it mainly to track our orders for our custom guitar and camera straps. I just now upgraded where I can sync the notes. So far, so good.

Thanks a lot for mentioning Notezilla. Just to bring more clarity: Notezilla is a sticky notes app for Windows, iPhone, Android and other devices. More details over here: http://www.conceptworld.com/Notezilla